Mobile Libraries

For many people, mobile libraries provide the only means of gaining regular access to the library and information service. Within Shropshire, mobile libraries provide a service to small and isolated rural settlements and communities, as well as to some of the more significant rural communities.

There are agreed criteria on where services are provided by mobile libraries and these are reviewed regularly. Currently, stops are not normally within two miles of a Level 1 or Level 2 library, or within one mile of a Level 3 or Level 4 library. There are Mobile Libraries visiting all parts of Shropshire, bringing the service closer to you. There are seven vehicles that visit over 600 places, mainly on a fortnightly cycle:-

• Bridgnorth Mobile Library
• Bishop's Castle Mobile Library
• Ludlow Mobile Library
• Oswestry Rural Mobile Library
• Oswestry Urban Mobile Library
• Shrewsbury Mobile Library
• Whitchurch Mobile Library

Follow the links on this page for further information, including a complete list of mobile stops listed alphabetically, maps showing the exact location of every stop, using Shropmap, Shropshire County Council's interactive mapping website and a calendar showing route numbers and dates

You can expect the following range of facilities from any mobile library:-

Stock
The range and level of book and audio-visual stock is similar to that of Level 4 libraries. Regular exchanges of stock enable the reduced size of shelf stock to provide maximum choice. Mobile libraries also draw on the stocks of base or other libraries to cater for special or individual needs and demands. The request service gives access to the lending stock of the County Library and to the inter-library lending service; the request service via the Community Care mobile library is free of charge.

Reference and Information
The mobiles have very basic general reference materials but they are part of the wider information network and can provide referral to other resources. They are also being developed as access points to community information services, using printed or where possible ICT resources.

Staffing
Most mobile library routes are single-staffed by a trained driver/assistant. Very busy routes have support from a library assistant. Professional oversight of the service and additional library assistant and administrative support are provided normally at the base library.